Reeling Dodgers struggling against NL's worst teams

MIAMI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts leaned back in his chair and it did not collapse, which is surprising given the way the season has gone. The defending NL champions had just endured one of their six consecutive defeats through Wednesday, all against last-place teams. The two most recent losses came in Miami, and Roberts contemplated his team's place in the universe, which includes the same 16-26 record as the Marlins, baseball's perennial punch line.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig licks his bat between pitche during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Miami. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 6-5.

Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson hangs on the fence as he watches a home run by Miami Marlins' J.T. Realmuto go into the stands during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Miami. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 6-5.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) walks off the mound after a visit during the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. One-quarter of the way into the season, the defending NL champion are off to their worst start in 60 years. Lately they're even losing to bad teams.

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Tayron Guerrero, right, tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy as he heads for first base during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Miami. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 4-2.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, walks to the mound to remove starting pitcher Kenta Maeda during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles. One-quarter of the way into the season, the defending NL champion are off to their worst start in 60 years. Lately they're even losing to bad teams.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig reacts to a strike call during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Miami. One-quarter of the way into the season, the defending NL champion Dodgers are off to their worst start in 60 years. Lately they're even losing to bad teams.

May 17, 2018

"I need a Presidente," he said, before pausing to reconsider. "I need more than one." Here's a toast to the most disappointing team in the majors. The Dodgers began the season with expectations to match their high payroll, but they've been bad and getting worse. Since May 5, they are 0-8 against the Marlins, Reds and Padres, the NL's cellar-dwellers.

On Tuesday the Dodgers failed to score against Miami starter Wei-Yin Chen, who entered with a 10.22 ERA. On Wednesday, they scored one run against Elieser Hernandez, a Rule 5 pickup making his first career start.

After winning 104 games in 2017, the Dodgers are on pace for 100 losses. "This is testing every bit of fight you have," Roberts said. "This is a stretch I'm sure a lot of these guys haven't gone through."

Actually, the Dodgers had an awful stretch just last summer, when they lost 16 of 17. But that felt different because they were 91-36 when the swoon began. They regrouped to reach Game 7 of the World Series, and with most of their roster back, expected to be one win better in 2018. Instead, too many injuries and sickly swings threaten to derail the season.

"It's not fun," catcher Austin Barnes said. "Every day it seems like there's something not clicking. It is absolutely frustrating." Offense is the biggest disappointment. Yasiel Puig hit his first home run Sunday after clubbing 28 last year. Cody Bellinger has six homers after hitting 39 in 2017. Leadoff batter Chris Taylor's average has fallen to .240 from .288 a year ago.

Against the Reds last week, the Dodgers totaled nine runs while being swept in a four-game series at home . Clutch hits have proved elusive and the bullpen has been wobbly, which explains why Los Angeles is 4-13 in games decided by one or two runs.

The Dodgers are accustomed to coming up short — they haven't won the World Series since 1988. But sub-.500 is something different for a franchise that has won five consecutive NL West titles. "It's baseball; it's a tough game," All-Star third baseman Justin Turner said. "It doesn't matter what it says on paper. You've got to show up and play nine innings and 27 outs, and anything can happen. Any team on any given day can go out and win a game. That's the beauty of it. It's not the NBA, where the best team on paper wins all the games."

Turner returned this week after breaking his left wrist during spring training. But two-time All-Star shortstop Corey Seager is out for the season with an elbow injury, and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw likely will be sidelined until at least June with biceps tendinitis.

Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA. Left-hander Alex Wood fell to 0-4 Tuesday despite a 3.35 ERA. "We just haven't gotten any momentum or started clicking," Wood said. "We feel it; everyone does. Everybody is grinding hard, and we're trying to figure it out and get on the right track."